Full-time mum Linda Brooks, 42, celebrated achieving an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Childhood and Youth Studies and her efforts were rewarded when she joined fellow graduates at a ceremony in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

Linda said: “When starting with the OU I was a single mum with no support and looking to improve our future.

“While studying my son was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and the road to diagnosis was rough. It then became even more important to me to pass my studies and despite my goal being just to finish the course; I’ve ended up getting far better results than I thought I would.

“I am now classed as my son’s carer so although I am not using my degree as I thought I would be at the moment, my hope is to do a post graduate qualification in the future and teach children.

“Above everything, deciding to study has shown my children that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.” She was joined at the ceremony by Partick man George Dyer-Wilson, 35, a global business development manager with accident and incident investigation specialist Kelvin TOP-SET, who achieved a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

George said: “I watched my wife gain a first in her second degree which was in psychology through the OU and this gave me confidence to try education for a second time.” Dr James Miller, director of the OU in Scotland added: “Since 1974, tens of thousands of people have taken advantage of the flexibility offered by The Open University in Scotland. It’s great to see graduates from all over Scotland, including Glasgow, marking this 40th anniversary milestone.” Since 1974, over 63,000 OU degrees and professional qualifications have been conferred in Scotland.